- Feb 6, 2002
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Hello
I was reading Ezra 3 and I found these points interesting:
1) There seemed to be a great sense of unity among the people when they gathered once again to Jerusalem.
"...the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem." (NASB)
2) The NASB translates Ezra 3:3:
"So they set up the altar on its foundation, for they were terrified because of the peoples of the lands;..."
It seems as if the Israelites were seeking God's Sovereignty and protection during this time. They were trusting God to help and lead them in the restoration of the Temple.
3) When the foundation of the temple was complete the priests dressed in their garments and music was sounded in celebration but the people responded in two ways:
a) Shouts of Joy
b) Weeping
I found it interesting that many shouted for joy because they most likely saw this time as the beginning of a restored relationship with God. But the elders weeped because they remembered the past glories of Solomon's temple. I arrived that we are to be taught to thank God for every chance to have fellowship with Him and yet always remember that sins can cause this fellowship to diminish. Therefore we should do all that we can to please Him so that we would not have to be like the elders of Israel and weep over what once was.
Do any of you have thoughts on what we are to learn from this passage? Any insights would be a true blessing.
Be well
Jesaiah
I was reading Ezra 3 and I found these points interesting:
1) There seemed to be a great sense of unity among the people when they gathered once again to Jerusalem.
"...the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem." (NASB)
2) The NASB translates Ezra 3:3:
"So they set up the altar on its foundation, for they were terrified because of the peoples of the lands;..."
It seems as if the Israelites were seeking God's Sovereignty and protection during this time. They were trusting God to help and lead them in the restoration of the Temple.
3) When the foundation of the temple was complete the priests dressed in their garments and music was sounded in celebration but the people responded in two ways:
a) Shouts of Joy
b) Weeping
I found it interesting that many shouted for joy because they most likely saw this time as the beginning of a restored relationship with God. But the elders weeped because they remembered the past glories of Solomon's temple. I arrived that we are to be taught to thank God for every chance to have fellowship with Him and yet always remember that sins can cause this fellowship to diminish. Therefore we should do all that we can to please Him so that we would not have to be like the elders of Israel and weep over what once was.
Do any of you have thoughts on what we are to learn from this passage? Any insights would be a true blessing.
Be well
Jesaiah
